Driving while on crack!

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Apr 26, 2004 | 08:14 AM

96hulk

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Joined: Nov 2003

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From: Salem, MA

Driving while on crack!

Thats right I am driving my truck which is cracked out, that is the transmision crossmember is cracked, pretty good too. I have a 4x2 300 m5od where there are two bolts under the tranny holding it on the crossmember the crack speads from one bolt to the other and is internaly rusting. My question is: Is this vehicle safe to drive? What happens worst case senario? Should i considder welding this crack or just replace the whole crossmember?
I can hear the crack flexing when i just barely engage the clutch and it sounds pretty bad. Even worse when wet (just like everthing on my truck)

Apr 26, 2004 | 11:13 AM

low-side

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If it's flexing badly enough it could damage your motor mounts and eventuall your whole driveline. I'd get one from a junkyard and swap it out as soon as you have time.

Apr 26, 2004 | 12:53 PM

99 ranger bob

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Joined: Aug 2003

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From: formerly Brooklyn NY now

i would ask a high wire walker if he would walk on a frayed tightrope when he says yes then drive your truck another thousand miles.....

Apr 26, 2004 | 09:32 PM

zieg96

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Joined: Sep 2003

Posts: 401

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From: Brighton, IL

96hulk- thanks for viewing my gallery. I don't have a tach so I can't help you on the rpms. If an automatic crossmember is the same off of a 91 it is yours for the shipping. The cab is off the truck I am parting out so I can take a picture of it if you would like.

Apr 27, 2004 | 04:59 PM

96hulk

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Joined: Nov 2003

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From: Salem, MA

I am not quite sure if the auto trans crossmember is the same but that certiantly sounds like a good deal to me i will further investigate, or if anybody here could answer that question that would be nice..... anyone....... ? also sending you an email.
did not considder effect on motor mounts or anything other than the actual weight of the tranny pulling downward, thanks for the posts everyone

Apr 27, 2004 | 09:34 PM

1982fordf100

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Joined: Sep 2003

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From: SE, Michigan

My 1995 F150 did the same thing on my transmission crossmember with the M50D. All I did was put a 1/4 thick steel plate under it and drilled the 2 holes for the bolts to come through. I made the plate about 6 inches by 4 to help carry the load and bolted it back up. Its worked fine ever since. Fred

Apr 27, 2004 | 10:51 PM

MustangGT221

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Joined: Nov 2001

Posts: 14,947

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From: Topsfield, MA

It's not going to cause any damage driving it right now. You've got a long way to go before that crossmember actually breaks. Since you can have it welded for free, I'd say do that. Worst comes to worse if it comes back than you can buy a new crossmember. A good weld will fix that without a problem. As long as they're are holes on either side of the crack to stop it, it won't come back. You'd feel the shifter move if the tranny was flexing on the mount at all (above normal) and it won't damage the motor mounts unless it's really moving.